THE SCREECH OWL 119 



and often dry leaves which have been blown into it ; 

 but sometimes the mother adds a few feathers from 

 her breast, and sometimes the parents line the nest 

 roughly with dry grass.) 



What kind of eggs are laid in this nest? (Four or 

 more round, white eggs.) Which bird sits on the 

 eggs? (The female; and during the day the male, 

 too, sits there if the nest is roomy enough ; if not, he 

 chooses a hollow tree near by.) How long does it 

 take the eggs to hatch? (About one month after the 

 first egg is laid, the little owls are out of the shell.) 



How do they look when first hatched ? Did you 

 ever see one? [If possible, the children should see 

 one before the season is over. It is a sight they 

 will never forget] (The owlets are at first covered 

 with a yellowish white, downy coat. They look like 

 fluffy balls.) 



How long do they stay in the nest? (About a 

 month. Then they scramble out on the branches. 

 They can climb like cats.) Did you ever try to catch 

 one ? What did it do ? (Snapped its bill viciously.) 



How are they cared for, while growing up ? (Both 

 father and mother are kept very busy providing these 

 hearty children with food. It would be a sad thing 

 for the babies if one of their parents should be killed 



